Eventful Third Term Ends
by Greg Rethwisch
March 23, 2008
An exciting and eventful term has come to an end at Pierce High School. The third term of the 2007-2008 school year began on January 7 and ended on March 13. The term was filled with exceptional accomplishments by students at Pierce High.
In the third term the FFA and the FCCLA both held spirit weeks. The FFA held a fund-raiser for St. Jude’s hospital and the FCCLA raised money for care packages to go to cancer patients. Both fund-raisers were a great success.
Academically Pierce High had a great term. Many students participated in the District History Day contest. The top three finishers at districts move on to state. Colby Jansen, Andrew Halsey, Nicholas Lukens, Jonathan Canaday, Kyle Rohrich, Maggie Echternacht, Natasia Otto-Berglund, Tiffany Bittner, Jennifer Hurtig, Zack Bresler, Jonathan Bahnfleth, Katelyn Albrecht, Tanner Carstens, Nick Koeppe, Michael Blunck, Mack Baumann, Ryan Gaunt, Danielle Tucker, Stefanie Hoffman, Shawn Dvorak, and Lacey Schnoor all qualified for the state competition in Lincoln.
Pierce High also excelled in many extra-curricular activities. The wrestling team ended a successful season. Kevin Paulsen, Evan Hanlin, Shawn Dvorak, and Stephan Johnson all qualified for state wrestling. The girls’ basketball team finished a successful season, posting a 12-9 record. The dance team competed at the state competition in Grand Island and was crowned C-1 State Champions. Pierce High’s speech team was district speech champion, and six qualified for state. Maggie Echternacht, Andrew Halsey, Nick Lukens, Natasia Otto-Berglund, Kara Polt, and Kyle Rohrich all will compete at state on March 18 at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The boys’ basketball team won its third straight conference championship and won the district championship. For the third year in a row the basketball team qualified for state. A tough loss in the semifinals to the eventual state champions sent the team to the consolation game where the Bluejays won the third place trophy over the number-one rated team in the state. The jazz band got a superior at USD among the best bands in the area and Joe Fehringer, Zack Bresler, Ashlyn Doerr, and Jon Canaday got outstanding performance awards there.
The start of the fourth term means the end of the school year is coming soon. The seniors have less than 30days left of school; their last day is May 2, provided they continue their leadership and good behavior, according to Principal Mark Brahmer. However, school activities and opportunities to shine will be no fewer between now and May 15 and even beyond through state track. Track and golf seasons have begun with athletes’ eyes on the state finals, and there will be lots of contests like state speech, the Wayne State College math contest and industrial technology contest, state History Day, band and choir contests and concerts, FFA and FCCLA banquets and awards programs for many endeavors. Through all, Pierce students and teachers will be as busy as ever, and continuing to excel.
